About the Emperor [Major Spoilers for 4.4]

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Originally Posted by ObsidianFire

@Ramesses: Lol. I actually agree with your views on the XIVth Legion. Out of all the Garlean Legions they're probably the best off in terms of being able to figure out what they want to do without worrying about what the rest of Garlemald thinks of them. And yes, I do think they know something of the Ascians. If simply because I can't see the Garleans not having a mountain of surveillance in and around their own bases. The odds of them recording Lahabrea's monologue up until Ultima is cast is pretty good. That goes double if the XIVth Legion knew Gaius had survived... anyway, enough headcanon...

I was more thinking about the XIVth Legion from Varis' point of view. Here's a High Legatus who supposed to have authority over the other Legeti and their legions and clearly, he doesn't. He has to send his best friend in to clean up one of the legions that's in Ilsabard, Garleamald's native continent. And apparently, the reason that legion was corrupt in the first place was because the nations they were occupying weren't rebelling against them. Then a legion who's only ever had one legatus deserts and takes all their expertise with them (including some good tacticians and what is probably one of the best engineering divisions in the Empire ever since Cid left). And then they go somewhere that it's not very convent for the Garlean military to go to what with Garlemald being in the middle of a Civil War at the time. And all that happens after Varis specifically told them not to invade...

Like... Varis has some very good reasons to keep a stranglehold on the military. If he doesn't, I can see them turning on him. Probably because a good portion of the military was against him in the War of Succession anyway, but also because they're probably used to having a lot more leeway with the Garlean government to do whatever they want to. It seems that Solus had a habit of leaving the legions up to their own devices for obvious reasons (more chaos). Varis probably wants to reign that in so he can have more influence over the contry (instead of Solus), but like all things that have to do with Garlemald nowadays, how good an idea that is is rather murky. On the one hand, reversing an Ascian's policies is probably a good idea. On the other hand, that freedom is probably why the better Legions can get away with certain things that contribute more to stability then they do to chaos.

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Ahhhh... thank you for this Obsidian, this was a great post and I can actually see your point in a much clearer light. From Varis' point of view, this makes so much sense and I almost pity the chap. A while back (almost a year ago?), I think Theo rightly mentioned in a speculation thread or something that Varis had a lot on his plate.

He was right...and I chimed in that Varis and the Empire had indeed lost three Legates to the WoL, due to their "independent" thinking (Gaius, Nael and Zenos--yes, back then, most of us thought Zenos was lost for good). And this made me wonder how it would begin to affect his nation, the morale of his troops, the socio-economic fabric of his empire.

It makes sense that he would want to reign things in and get a firmer grip on his empire... and who knows, he might start to distrust his remaining Legates at this point.

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Originally Posted by Cilia

During the Crystal Tower introductory quests, Nero explains that he hasn't returned to the Empire because, in following Gaius against Imperial orders, he and the other survivors of the XIVth are now considered deserters punishable by death.



Regardless of whether or not one personally considers the XIVth deserting a sign of corruption, it's clearly not tolerated by the Imperial government.

Speculation is fine, but this is getting rather wild. (Didn't see that stated verbatim, and you said you were certain... how? What supports certainty?)

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What makes it wild? I said I liked history and was drawing parallels to the similarities I had seen between both entities... what's wrong with that?

Ahhh...right; I also said "certain" in the last line of my post and that didn't go down well with you... I'll admit that was forward of me, not very speculative like, innit?

A major factor to consider is when, exactly, Varis learned of Solus' true nature. Canonically, Lahabrea's demise happened recently in the timeline - and that is apparently what caused Solus to return from his 'rest' and feigned death. Before Varis learned of Solus' true nature then he could very well have had a poor opinion of Gaius' antics. Varis himself doesn't appear to have much interest in invading Eorzea. He could invade Eorzea but he has instead shown immense restraint. I suspect that if he were to speak at length with Gaius then the pair would be on the same page. They've both been unwilling tools of the Ascians and they both care for their homeland and people.

Pureblood Garleans are described as being pragmatic and efficient. Regula was a prime example of that - he buried whatever beef he had with the Warrior of Light for the sake of his men's well being. I suspect there will be a strong overlap in regards to Varis' own line of thinking. His conversation with Alphinaud is intriguing on that note, since he outright compliments the lad by stating that 'You do not hesitate to speak your mind, even though every one may be your last.' Some took it as a threat and little else, though it is the only time we have seen Varis smile. I suspect there was a measure of admiration in his words - despite their different approaches at the time.

Yet by this point, Varis has likely learned that simply resorting to wiping out the Beast Tribes and putting down rebellions only serves to spread the chaos that Solus and Elidibus desperately desire. Hence his restraint - it's fascinating and has a lot of potential should Alphinaud and Varis meet once more.

@Ramesses

How I lament that we're not on the same server. I imagine we could discuss FFXII, Rome and Garlemald at length if we were. I'm...half tempted to poke you in-game sometime and throw my Discord your way, if you're willing. ;)

It is a point we never consider the fact that Varis was promised to us as someone entirely fixed on annexing Eorzea to the point of being opnely and covertly against the meteor project, something that Lolorito reinforced when telling us of the new dreadnought.
Yet his actions speak otherwise.
His first actions with the new weapon was to go elsewhere and he didn't respond that much when for all intents and purpose the alliance declared war on Garlemand per Ilberd's deception.

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Originally Posted by Theodric

A major factor to consider is when, exactly, Varis learned of Solus' true nature. Canonically, Lahabrea's demise happened recently in the timeline - and that is apparently what caused Solus to return from his 'rest' and feigned death. Before Varis learned of Solus' true nature then he could very well have had a poor opinion of Gaius' antics. Varis himself doesn't appear to have much interest in invading Eorzea. He could invade Eorzea but he has instead shown immense restraint. I suspect that if he were to speak at length with Gaius then the pair would be on the same page. They've both been unwilling tools of the Ascians and they both care for their homeland and people.

Pureblood Garleans are described as being pragmatic and efficient. Regula was a prime example of that - he buried whatever beef he had with the Warrior of Light for the sake of his men's well being. I suspect there will be a strong overlap in regards to Varis' own line of thinking. His conversation with Alphinaud is intriguing on that note, since he outright compliments the lad by stating that 'You do not hesitate to speak your mind, even though every one may be your last.' Some took it as a threat and little else, though it is the only time we have seen Varis smile. I suspect there was a measure of admiration in his words - despite their different approaches at the time.

Yet by this point, Varis has likely learned that simply resorting to wiping out the Beast Tribes and putting down rebellions only serves to spread the chaos that Solus and Elidibus desperately desire. Hence his restraint - it's fascinating and has a lot of potential should Alphinaud and Varis meet once more.

@Ramesses

How I lament that we're not on the same server. I imagine we could discuss FFXII, Rome and Garlemald at length if we were. I'm...half tempted to poke you in-game sometime and throw my Discord your way, if you're willing. ;)

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Yep, definitely give me a yell anytime I'm online, Theo. I could carry on ranting for days when it comes to history and Ivalice... as you can see, its always a struggle to self-edit once I get started.

I'm also on Excalibur server with Moose and its great fun to chat with him once in a rare while on FFXI and FFXIV stuff.

By the way, yes... per the earlier part of your post, I can see Alphy's intellect impressing both Varis and Gaius which may be one of the catalysts that will further pave the way for the WoL to understand the mysteries of Garlemald.

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Originally Posted by Ramesses

Well... somehow, he's managed to pull of that youthful look. The chap looks like an 88 year old alright... (the sarcasm, right?)... open below if you've finished the 4.4 patch.

https://i.imgur.com/n5Msryd.jpg

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I seriously don't mean to derail the ongoing conversation with this non-contribution, but by the gods, he's gorgeous. WOW.

Different tastes for different people. I don't find him at all attractive - I feel like he has an unpleasant face, for lack of a better word.

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Originally Posted by Iscah

Different tastes for different people. I don't find him at all attractive - I feel like he has an unpleasant face, for lack of a better word.

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Haha, he's certainly got that eerie, up-to-no-good, devious look about him. I just also find it enchanting, like I'd spontaneously combust if he ever looked me in the eye. It's bad enough the cs closes with his boots stepping on the camera's face. XD

The acting was great now let's hope it's not just a mustache twirling villain

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Originally Posted by Remedi

The acting was great now let's hope it's not just a mustache twirling villain

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*(Stares at the character's previous pictures from once upon a time)*

About that mustache...